Paper-corrugating machine



July'zz, 1930.

S. M. LANGSTON PAPER CORRUGATING MACHINE Filed May 25', 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR I .l ,Sam/wel MLarysi/om BY ATTORNEYS July 22, 1930. s. M. LANGsToN PAPER CORRUGAT ING MACHINE 2 Sheets-sheet 2 Filed "ay 25, 1928 (Slawzle'` 2 BY LM A TORNEYS Patented `luly 22, 1930 PATENT OFFICE i SAMUEL M. LANGSTON, OF WEN'ONAH, NEW JERSEY mrumconnuearme MACHINE Application lei Hay 25,

One of the great difficulties in corrugating aper for use as one sheet of a single or double aced corrugated board is due to the fact that the straw paper litself has very little tensile strength, and its. resistance to breaking while being bent or corrugated varies through wide limits. The method of manufacture of straw paper makes it diiiicult if not impossiy ble to get either high or uniform tensile strengt Tn corrugating such paper it is usually ulled into the teeth of the corrugating rolls y the rotation of these rolls, and this action causes it to drag over the teeth which arev M coming into mesh. There is" considerable tensile strain put on the paper by 'reason of the dragging of the paper around the ends of the teeth. This tensile straln increases rapidly with increase in the speed ofthe ma- .ao chine.

There is also a handing strain put on the paper by the teeth, and these two strains which the paper has to stand are the limiting iactors determining the speed at which one can run any articular straw paper from the supply roll t rough the corrugator.

Due to wide variations in tensile strength and bending qualities, some paper will fracture at the bends under the hard punishment to which it is subjected in the machine, if the paper he run at notI to exceed '90 feet per minute, while other papers may he run 250 test per minute in the same machine without showing a fracture. l

- @tten the paper which may he run the fastesthas insumcient stiffness to make a real goed sheet of corrugated hoard. Tn other words, paper which-is soft enough to have sucient bending qualities to stand this punishment does not have enough rigidity. in the iinafl product. The straw paper manufacturers have great diiculty in trying to meet the somewhat conicting requirements iter softness to fa cilitatebending withoutfracture, stiiness in the hnal product, and capahility of high speed treatment in the corrugator. This leads to considerable variation inthe character et the straw paper made hy Se diderent manuiacturers, and which must-he 1928. Serial No. 280,521.

handled by the machines of the corrugated board manufacturers.

A further diilicultyds encountered in the corru ating of any grade of paper due to the `fact/t at the rollsof pa er during shipment from the paper mill to tli ufacturer, often become lopsided, and therefore out of balance. As a result, the tension required to unroll the paper varies during each revolution of the roll. Even when there be used a particularly good sheetl of straw paper which would stand the strain of running at 250 feet per minute if the roll were per ectly balanced, it is necessary that the machine be slowed down to 150 feet a minute or less, with a resulting loss of output if the roll is materially out of balance.

Difficulties also arise due to the fact that the unrolling tension varies as the supply roll decreases in diameter, and thus, even `with a perfectly balanced roll there must he continuous readjustment of the brake pressure in order 'that the tension on the paper may be kept'substantially uniform.

Attempts to balance the roll to give uniirorm unrolling tension are not satisfactory,

hecause the degree of [unbalanced elect or of lopsidedness varies' as the roll 'of paper reduces in diameter. Thus, if counterbalance mechanism he employed it is necessary to tequeitly stopvthe machine and rehalance t e ro e corrugating man- Another point that causes trouble is that in thel effort to increase production, hy de creasing the shut clown time on corrugating machinery, the-tendency has been to use larger diameter rolls of straw pa er. Such large'diameter rolls act as fly w eels with accumulating eect as the speed of the machine increases, and this makes an added difiiculty in tentioning Aof the straw paper. The straw papel', of course, has to` run under a sli ht tension in'order to keep it running true lntothe machine, and this accumulative momentum of the roll of pa r decreases the sensitiveness with which t e straw paper can he tensioned, and therefore increases the tendency for it to c ut.

The main ohject of the present invention is te provide and maintain such uniform, defiof moisture therein.

nite, and comparatively low tension on the paper as it goes into the corrugating rolls, and irrespective of the size or unbalanced character ot' the supply roll of the straw paper.

ln my improved machine in which I accomplish this object I provide between the supply roll and the corrugating rolls a set of feed rolls which do not give any bending strain to the paper, but positively feed the paper at a definite rate, irrespective of the varying tension on the paper between these feeds rolls and the supply roll. I automatically vary the speed of said feed rolls in respect to the speed of the corrugating rolls to compensate for the variable take-up in the corrugating rolls which is dependent on the character of the paper and its physical condition, such for instance as the percentage Between the positive feed rolls and the corrugating rolls I interpose a movable idler roll which rests on the paper and gives a definite tension to the paper entering the corrugating rolls. I utilize the movement of this idler roll which `results from variable take-up in the corrugating rolls to control the speed of the feed rolls, through a suitable variable speed device.

Bymeans of my invention I can regulate the size of the loop between the feed rolls and the eorrugating rolls under all operating conditions, and deliver the paper to the coriugating rolls under -a definite and uniform tension. This tension may result solely from the weight of the idler roll, and the elective weight of such idler roll, and therefore the tension may be adjusted for varying conditions, such for instance as the width o the paper, the softness or stiffness thereof, and the bending qualities. In addition to the weight of the idler roll there may also be provided tension bars between such idler roll and the corrugating rolls, whereby the operator of the machine may vary the tension so as to obtain the best results for any particular roll of paper, as I find that diterent widths and different lots of straw paper will require a different tension.

Inthe accompanying drawings I have illustrated merely one embodiment of my' invention. It will of course be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and the relative arrangement of the parts within the scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a machine embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the mechanism for delivering the paper at uniform tension to the corrugating rolls, and

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 2.

The particular mechanism illustrated for corrugating the sheet of straw paper includes a pair of corrguating rollers 10 and 11 be- A second sheet ot paper is fed around a smooth surfaced roller 15 and pressed on toy the adhesive, covering the crowns ofthe corrugations so as to make a sheet of single faced .corrugated paper. The details of the corrugator form vno portion ot the present invention. The parts of the machine illustrated may be substantially identical with that shown in my prior Patent No. 1,642,782, issued September 20, 1927, and to which reerf ence may be had for a further description of the other parts illustrated but-not'A here described.

The paper is delivered from a supply roll A which may be mounted in any suitable form of standard or roll support, and provided with any suitable form ofybrake or resistance to prevent overrunnin of the roll, and to give some tension on t e paper. I

haveeillustrated merely conventionally a roll support 16 with an adjustable brake 17.

In carrying out my invention I provide means which will act on the paper between the supply roll and the`corrugator and deliver the paper to the latter under a definite and uniform tension which may be varied in accordance with the character of the paper.

This mechanism includes a pair of feed rolls 20 and 21 which act to grip the paper, positively unroll it from the supply roll A, and deliver it at the desired speed, irrespective of the varying tension required to etfect the unrolling action. Althou h both feed rolls may be driven, preferaly only the lower one is, while the upper roll 20 is carried by a pair of pivoted arms22, one or both ofwhich has an extension with an adjustable weight 23 whereby the rictional gri ping of thel paper may be varied at will.

he feed rolls 20, 21 will deliver the paper at a constant and uniform rate, but this will not give a uniform tension on the paper, due

to the varying character of the paper and .115

the Varying takeup in the corrugating rolls. Therefore, as an important feature of my invention I provide driving means which will vary the speed of the feed rolls in respect to the speed of thecorrugatin rolls, in accordance with the condition of t e paper between the two sets of rolls, so as to give the desired uniform tension. The construction of this driving mechanism and particularly the speed varying"y part thereof, may vary widely within the scope of my invention.

As illustrated I provide a Reeves drive which includes a pair of driving cone pulleys 24 adjustable toward and from each other. a pair of driven cone pulleys 25, likewise adjustable, and a connecting belt 26. The shaft phishing this is shown as including a drum 48 27 of the driving pulleys 24'is connected in any' suitablel manner to the ccrrugator, whereor decrease the speed ol the leed rd bythe s directly with that ofthe corrugator. As

shown, this connection includes a s rocket wheel 28 on the shaft 27, a sprocket w eel 29 von the corrugator or the drive shaft of the latter, and a connecting chain 30. The shaft 31 of the driven pulleys 25 is connected by a sprocket wheel 32 and chain 33 to a sprocket Wheel 34 on the lower feed roll 20.

By adjusting the cone pulleys 24 toward or from each other, and simultaneously adjusting the cone pulleys in the opposite direc-` tion, the speed of the feed rolls may be varied in respect to the feedof the corrugating rolls.

For controlling the speed transmission ratio there is provided anidler roller 35 which rests on the paper between the feed rolls and corrugating rolls, and rises and falls with variations in the len th of the loop between the two airs of rolls. his vertical movement of the idler roll is utilized for controlling the speed transmitting ratio ot the Reeves drive. rl`he idler roll is mounted in brackets on a pair of slides 36, vertically movable on and guided by the main frame 37 and these slides have rack bars 33 meshing with pinions 39 on a trans-- verse shaft 40 mounted in brackets t1 carried by the main trame. This arrangement of rack bars and pinions maintains the idler in parallelism with the leed rolls and rotates the shalt t0 as the idler rises or falls. The shalt 40 is provided with a sprocket wheel l2 which pulleys 25 moved apart to drive the t'eed rollsat hi her speed, while upon rotating the l shalt 4:5 1n the opposite direction the cone pulleys 2l will be separated and the pulleys 25 brought togetherto drive the feed rolls atslower speed. Thus with the leed rolls 2U, 2l, delivering paper at exactly the s eed required b the corrugating rolls, the oop ot paper tween will remain oiZ constant leuh, and the idler will remain with its ams in hred position. lt the corrugating rolls taire in the l aper at tester or slower speed,

increase The idler roll resting upon the pa Ver gives a deite tension on the paper, whic tension remains constant, irrespective of the varying tension in the paper as it goes to the leed rolls. The edective weight ol the idler, and therefore the tension o the paper, may be varied at will. The mechanism tor accomthe idlerwil rise or tall, and therebyl peed of thesedriving pulleys varies on the shaft 40, with a cord or tension member 49 secured thereto, and extending overa sheave 5 0 to `a weight 51. This weight normally tends to rotate the shaft in a counterclockwise direction which thus tends to liftthe idler 35 and relieve the paper of the weight of the idler and slides. By adjusting the weight 51 in respect to the relative sizes of the drum 48 and idler 50, and the diameter of the pinions 39, the effective weight of the idler 35 may be controlled so that there will be the desired comparatively low tension on the paper of the loop. j A

In addition to the foregoing means forcon-4 trolling the tensionthe corrugator itself may have an adjustable device for readily varying the tension if desired. Iy have shown somewhat diagrammatically a common form ot' ldevice for accomplishing this purpose, `which includes a pair of rollers 52, 53, with an intermediate ro'ller 54 carried by pivoted arms and movable into or out. of position between the rollers 52, 53. By raising or lowering the roller 5t the tension onthe paper may be varied, or these arts may be adjusted to give thedesired lipxed tension, and the idler roll 35 may be counterbalanced so that there is very little tension on the paper on its way to the tension rollers 52, 53 and 5t.

fl? or threading up the machine l provide means for positively liting'the idler 35 and locking it in raised position. This is shown as a. hand wheel 55 connected to the sheave 50, and a pawl 56 for engaging a tooth or notch on a ratchet wheel 57, also secured to the sheave. Similar or other means may also be4 rovided lor raising the feed roll 21 and loc ing it in raised position.

By means ol my improved construction and arrangement ol parts, the machine may be adjusted in accordance with the tensile strength and bending qualities ont the particular paper to be corrugated, and the'paper delivered to the corrugating rolls under a fixed and uniform, but comparatively low tension whichis not in any way dependent upon the brake pressure, unbalanced condition, or size of the supply roll. The speed of the ordinary machine may be increased farbeyond that which is possible with corrugated paper ot low tensile strength or poor bending qualities.A Even with the very best grades ot paper a uniformity oi product and a high speed ot operation are possible.

'lhe eeves drive which is illustrated for varying the speed of the feed rolls in accordance with variations in the length of the loop between the fer rolls and the eorrugating rolls, is merely one ot the many mechanical devices which may be utilized for the purpose. For instance, the leed roll-20 may be driven` directly or indirectly by an electric motor, and the movement ol parts supporting or connected to the idler 35 may operate the lllll ldd llll

llt

rheostat of the motor to vary the speed of the latter. lf the feed roll is driven directly from the corrugator or from the same source of` powerLthe power transmitting connections y paper, including a pair of intermeshing corrugating rolls -adjustable toward and from each other, means for supporting a supply roll of paper to be corrugated, and mea-ns for maintaining the tension on the paper delivered to the corrugating rolls substantially constant virrespective of varying resistance to the rotation of the supply roll and varying takeup of the paper corrugating rolls including a feeding device for withdrawing paper from said supply roll, means for varying the speed of said feeding device in accordance with variations in the takeup of the paper in the corrugating rolls.

2. A machine for making corrugated paper, including va pair of corrugating rolls having intermeshing teeth for drawing the paper therebetween and imparting corrugations thereto, said rolls being adjustable to vary the depth of the corrugations imparted to the paper and the rate at which the paper is drawn between said rolls, a feed roll for delivering paper, means for varying the speed of the feed roll in accordance with the varying rate at which the paper is drawn between the corrugating rolls, and an lidler engaging the paper between the feed roll and the corrugating rolls, said idler being supported by the paper and imparting substantially constant tension to the paper as it enters the corrugating rolls.

3. A machine for making corrugating paper, including a pair of corrugating rolls' having intermeshing Vteeth for drawing the paper therebetween, bending it around said teeth and forming the corrugations, and

means for maintaining substantially constant the tension on the paper delivered to said corrugating rolls irrespective of varying takeup of the rolls, said means including a feed roll for delivering the paper, an idler supported against downward movement by the paper between said feed rofl and said corrugating rolls, and means for varying the speed of the feed roll in accordance with the varying takeup of the corrugating rolls, said means being operated by the vertical movements of said idler roll.

Ll. A machine for making corrugated paper, including a pair of corrugating rolls having iutermcshing teeth for drawing the paper therebetween, bending it around said teeth and forming the corrugations, a pair of feed rolls for delivering the paper without imparting bending strains thereto, and means for maintaining the tension on the paper between said feed rolls and said corrugating rolls substantially constant and irrespective of variations in the' takeup of the paper in said corrugating rolls.

5. A machine for making corrugated paper, including a pair of corrugating rolls, a frame having a feed roll at the upper part thereof, a pair of vertically 1movable rack bars on the side of said frame toward said corrugating rolls, an idler carried by said rack bars, a transverse shaft below said idler and mounted in said frame, pinions on said shaft engaging said rack bars, a drum on saidv shaft, a weight having a cable wound on said drum and tending to rotate said shaft in a direction to lift said rack bars and said idler roll, and partially.counterbalancing the weight of the latter and the rack bars, driving means for said feed roll, and means controlled by the oscillations of said shaft for varying the speed of said feed roll.

'6. A machine for feeding paper to a pair of corrugating rolls having intermeshing teeth for drawing the paper therebetween, bending it around said teeth, and forming the corrugations, including a feed roll for delivering the paper, an idler roll for engaging the loop of paper between the feed roll and the corrugating rolls, movable supports for said idler roll and permitting the up and down 'movement of the latter in accordance with the length of the paper loop between corrugations, including a feed roll for delivf,

ering the paper, a pair of movable supports, an idler carried thereby and resting upon the paper between the feed roll and the corrugating rolls, a gear driven by one of saidsupports, a Reeves drive including a drive shaft,

a driven shaft and a control shaft, driving connections between said drive shaft and said corrugating rolls, driving connections between'said driven shaft and said feed roll,

and operating connections between said gear and said control shaft.

8. A machine for feeding straw paper from a supply 'roll to corrugating rolls, including a feed roll, an idler engaging the paper between said feed roll and-the corrugating rolls, a- Reeves drive having driving and 'driven pulleys, a means for driving said drive pulley in fixed speed relationship to said corrugating rolls, means for driving said feed roll from sai-d driven pulley, a control shaft for said Reeves drive, movable supports for said idler, and operating means connected to said supports and'operatively connected 'to said control shaft.

9. A machine for feeding straw paper from 'a supply roll to corrugating rolls, including a feed roll, an idler engaging thepaper between said feed roll and the corrugating rolls, a Reeves drive having driving, driven and vcontrol shafts, means for driving said drivey f shaft in fixed s eed relationshipto said cor- May, A. D. 1928.

rugating rolls', means for driving said feed roll vfrom said driven shaft, a reciprocatory member connected toV said idler to permit the movement of the latter in a substantially vertical direction and mechanically operating connections forpositively and directly oscillating said control shaft upon vertical movement of said idler.

10. A machine for feeding straw paper to a pair of intermeshing corrugating ro1ls,. means for supporting a supply roll of paper i to be corrugated, a feed Aroll for withdrawing paper from said supply roll and delivering it to said 4corrugating rolls, an idler resting on the paper between the lfeed roll and the corrugating rolls, a pair of vertically movable members for supporting said idler, means for engagein said members to positively lift the idler, an counterbalancing Weights connected to said 'members and also tending to lift said idler.

.Signed atCamden, in the county of Camden and State of New Jersey, this 23rd day of SAMUEL M. LANGSTON. 

